How much formula in 24 hours?

[bail16]

Hi,
My daughter is now 5.5 months and weighs 16lb 11oz. She is formula fed. The health visitor told me the other day that she is too heavy and that I'm feeding her too much. She isn't on solids yet, just milk. She takes about 25-30 oz a day. When I said to hv that on the back of the formula pots it suggests 5 x 7oz feeds for her age and weight she told me the formula companies tell you to offer them too much so you'll buy more!!! And that the average amount of formula babies her age and weight have is 18-20oz. She went on to say that my daughter is obviously too hungry, yet when I asked if I should give her hungry baby milk instead she said 'definitely not'. So what am I meant to do?! I also asked if she is hungry should I start weaning her and again she said no! I'm not prepared to cut down her milk intake of that's what she requires! And she doesn't always finish her bottles so she isn't just drinking what is given to her in a greedy way!
I'm wondering what amount of formula other babies her age have?

My DS is 4.5 months and has anything between 30oz and 37oz a day. He weighs 15lb 3oz. When he was first born I was told a good guide to what they require is their weight in kilos times 150ml. So a 7kg baby would require 1050 ml a day, or about 35oz, if my maths is all correct!

What percentile is your DD on, and is she following one consistently?

3 x 6-7oz bottles per day sounds ridiculously little for a 5.5month old baby? Especially if not weaned?

My daughter was 16lb10 at 3 months and no one said anything as she was following her centile (98th) quite happy. She's on the 99.6th for length and is obviously going to be a tall girl, but in proportion.

Is she crawling yet? In my experience of 3 children they get nice and chubby up to this point and then burn it all off destroying my house... DD1 was 25lbs on her 1st birthday and 26lbs on her 2nd! Lost all the baby fat and is now perfectly average, active and happy.

Can you get a second opinion from anywhere?

At that age DS was having at least that amount I think (though hard to be sure about exact amounts as we were mix feeding - formula during the day with the childminder, breastfeeds morning/evening and at night if necessary). Why does the HV think she is "too heavy"? Has she gone up lots of centiles recently? Unless there's been a big centile shift I wouldn't worry about it. You could always consult the GP for a second opinion maybe?

Sorry by "that amount" I meant the amount your DD is having, not the amount the HV recommends which sounds very little to me.

She was born on the 9th centile and is now on 75th! But, I was induced due to no growth for last4 weeks of pregnancy, so i do wonder of basing her on the 9th centile was entirely accurate!
She started crawling 2 weeks ago, and is constantly on the move. I'm not overly concerned by her weight to be honest, but I just wanted to hear that others have the same/similar amounts to her and that I'm not over feeding her! Thanks! X

I also don't think you're feeding her excessively. I was told as a rough guide 2.5 x weight in lbs. so you are well under the maximum, especially if not on solids. But if she's hungry, not spitting it back at you, and otherwise well then why change things? Babies aren't daft, they take what they need.

My DD was born on the 25th % and by 16 weeks had shot up to the 91st. I was told I was feeding her too much. I tried to reduce it, foolishly, and ended up with a week of utter misery. So I stopped listening to the HV and went to the children's centre that had scales for parents to use just to keep tabs on things. She's tracked the 91st line ever since, dropping down to the 75th now she is 3.5 yrs. Her height is off the charts. So don't worry. Other than people thinking she is older than she is, there's been no problem at all and she is happy, healthy and a terrific eater, although now will not touch milk at all!

Listen to your baby and your own instinct. A lot of HV get a bit bonkers over weight. Keep food fun until they're one!

my ds was 21lbs at that age and took much more milk but his weight was never seen as issue. I'd ignore her tbh

HV is talking rubbish - 30oz sounds on the low side to me for an unweaned 5 month old.

As previous posters have said 2.5x weight in lbs = oz per 24 hours as a general guide, so your baby could easily have 40oz.

18-20oz sounds about right for a baby a few weeks old, or a 9 month old on 3 meals!